hand's-breadth
Very LowLiterary, Archaic, Poetic
Definition
Meaning
A very small unit of measurement, approximately the width of a human hand, typically around 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm).
Used figuratively to describe a very narrow margin, a tiny distance, or a close escape.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Also appears as 'handbreadth' or 'hand's breadth' (without the hyphen). It functions as a noun. Historically used for measurements, now primarily found in older literary or religious texts (e.g., the Bible).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The archaic nature means it's rarely used in modern speech in either variety.
Connotations
Connotes antiquity, precision in poetic description, or Biblical language.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, surviving mainly in fixed literary or historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
(by/within) a hand's-breadth of (something)(verb) by a hand's-breadthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “escape by a hand's-breadth”
- “miss by a hand's-breadth”
- “within a hand's-breadth of death”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
May appear in historical or theological texts discussing ancient measurement systems.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or intentionally poetic.
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts; replaced by metric or imperial units.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The kitten was only a hand's-breadth long.
- The ancient scroll measured three hand's-breadths in width.
- The arrow missed him by a mere hand's-breadth, embedding itself in the tree trunk behind.
- In the dim light, the sculptor worked to within a hand's-breadth of perfection, leaving the final details to the viewer's imagination.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the width of your HAND. A HAND'S-BREADTH is the space it covers from thumb to little finger—a very small measure.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL DISTANCES ARE NARROW PHYSICAL WIDTHS (e.g., 'a hair's breadth', 'a whisker').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'рука-хлеб'. It is a measurement, not a body part or food. The equivalent concept is 'пядь' (an old Russian measure) or 'ширина ладони'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He hand's-breadthed the gap').
- Misspelling as 'handsbreadth' or 'hands breadth'.
- Using it in modern, casual conversation where 'inch' or 'centimetre' is appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hand's-breadth' MOST likely to be found today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'hand's-breadth' is the width of the hand (across the knuckles). A 'handspan' is the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully stretched, which is larger.
Only for a specific stylistic effect, such as creating an antique, poetic, or Biblical tone. In most contemporary contexts, use terms like 'inch', 'centimetre', or 'hair's breadth'.
All three forms are attested: 'hand's-breadth', 'handbreadth', and 'hand's breadth'. Modern dictionaries often list 'handbreadth' as the main headword, but the hyphenated form is also correct.
Approximately 3 to 4 inches or 7.5 to 10 centimetres, but it was not a precise standardised unit and varied.